WEC: Peugeot accelerates Vandoorne exit ahead of Jaguar move
Peugeot Accelerates Vandoorne Exit Ahead of Jaguar Move
In a sudden shift to the WEC driver market, Peugeot has announced that Stoffel Vandoorne will depart its Hypercar programme at the conclusion of this weekendâs Fuji 6 Hours.
While the former Formula 1 driver was already scheduled to leave the French outfit at the end of the current season to focus on his upcoming commitments, the team has opted to bring the split forward. This decision marks a definitive end to Vandoorneâs tenure with the Paris-based squad, following a complex history with the manufacturer that saw a previous temporary separation just over a year ago.
The Road to Jaguar
The timing of the exit aligns with Vandoorneâs impending transition back to the electric series. The Belgian driver has reportedly reached an agreement to join Jaguar, where he is expected to replace Mitch Evans, who is moving to Opel. An official announcement regarding the Jaguar lineup is anticipated in the coming weeks, marking Vandoorneâs return to the championship after a one-year hiatus.
As drivers prepare for the high-stakes transition into the Gen4 era of Formula E, Vandoorneâs move arrives at a critical juncture in the racing calendar. He will join Antonio Felix da Costa at Jaguar, though the exact structure of the Jaguar lineup remains a subject of speculation following recent tactical changes at Alpine.
Peugeotâs Search for Stability
Vandoorneâs departure leaves Peugeot in the position of needing to fill his seat for the final two rounds of the WEC season. The team has yet to confirm a replacement, but industry insiders suggest the squad may look to provide valuable race mileage to either Robert Shwartzman, a new signing for 2027, or reserve driver Alex Quinn.
Both Shwartzman and Quinn are viewed as key components in a wider lineup shake-up planned by Peugeot. This move follows Vandoorneâs stint in the #93 Peugeot Totalenergies 9X8, where he secured his best Hypercar result with a third-place finish at Austin last year.
With the WEC finale approaching in Italy and the pre-season testing for the electric championship set for mid-November, the landscape of both endurance and electric racing is shifting rapidly.
Simone Scanu
Heâs a software engineer with a deep passion for Formula 1 and motorsport. He co-founded Formula Live Pulse to make live telemetry and race insights accessible, visual, and easy to follow.